7 Things To Keep In Mind Before Having A Second Child

Becoming a mother the second time around is a lot different from the first. You might think that it’s a lot easier when you’ve already been through it once, but that might not be the case all the time. The situations that arise when you have a child are unpredictable, so we advise that you have an open mind and be flexible about how you want things to go.

Here are 7 things that you should keep in mind before you decide to go for a second child.

1. Your Marriage May Take A Hit

Your marriage would definitely have changed after having your first child. Studies have also shown that parents reported a slight increase in marital dissatisfaction, compared to a slower increase in couples without children. Although most people believe that having a child will strengthen their marriage, that often does not happen. The time and effort required to maintain the relationship between the parents will be diverted to your new kid, so keep this in mind while planning for another baby.

2. Your Body Might Not Get Back In Shape That Easily

If you remember the first time you had a child and the struggle that followed to get back in shape, imagine a lot harder struggle this time around. The belly fat from baby number one would have gone away much easier, but this one will be a task. It might take longer for your body to recuperate, and you’ll take much longer to get back into shape.

3. Don’t Neglect Your Other Child

The arrival of a new baby might mean that you have to dedicate all of your time and energy towards it, but in the midst of handling the new baby, don’t forget that your other child also needs attention. The kind of emotional, physical and mental readiness you might need to handle two babies is something you have to think about. Also, neglecting your other child might foster jealousy and anger in your firstborn, so handle that with care.

4. You’ll Need More Money!

The monetary and financial resources that you’ll need to raise a second child will be quite a bit. Yes, of course you can recycle the clothes and the other baby equipment, but you’ll still have to pay for the baby’s hygiene, food, medical needs, education and other needs until the baby is grown up. So, you might want to carefully plan for the years ahead before going in for another baby.

5. You’ll Need All The Help You Can Get

If you have a second child, the chances are that you will have lesser time to sleep, work and relax. It would be really handy to have a bunch of people ready to help you out when you might need them to - grandparents, family, friends, neighbours and anyone you trust who can babysit for a few hours. You might also have to ask for help with the household, and if both you and the husband intend to go to work, you might have to find a nanny for the baby.

6. Seeing Your Firstborn With A Sibling Will Be Beautiful

Don’t worry, it’s not all bad to have a second child. Your firstborn will be getting a sibling, friend, confidant and a go-to person in their sibling, and that’s one of the best things you can do for them. It is going to be beautiful to watch the two grow into individuals who have a support system in each other. The kids will always have someone they can confide in and be comfortable with. It’s going to make them incredibly happy.

7. You Are Going To Be A Much Better Prepared Parent

It’s going to be much, much easier to be a parent this time around. You probably won’t freak out over a fever, or panic about a cough, because you have faced it all before. You are going to be much more organized and relaxed about the new baby’s schedule, health and development. You also probably will be more intuitive about the baby’s behaviour and will be much better at taking care of the second baby.